Authie Airfield

The WWI airfield was closed due to military demobilization after the Armistice of 11 November 1918. The reason for the closure of the more recent private ULM strip is not officially documented but is typical for small airfields, likely stemming from the owner's personal decision, sale of the land for agriculture, or local regulatory changes.

The site of the former Authie Airfield has been fully returned to agricultural use and consists of open farmland. There are no visible remnants of the runways, hangars, or other military infrastructure from the WWI era. The only local reminder of its aviation history is a street named 'Rue de l'Aviation' in the nearby village of Authie.

Authie Airfield has significant historical importance as a major British military aerodrome during World War I. From 1915 to 1919, it was a key base for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and later the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was strategically located near the Somme battlefront and hosted numerous famous squadrons, including No. 2, No. 16, No. 21, and No. 40 Squadrons. Operations primarily involved reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and fighter patrols using aircraft like the B.E.2, F.E.2b, and Nieuport scouts. The airfield played a critical role during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the German Spring Offensive in 1918. After the war, the site reverted to farmland. In the late 20th or early 21st century, a private ULM airstrip operated briefly on or near the historic location, to which the FR-1170 identifier refers.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Authie Airfield. The land is privately owned and actively cultivated, making any future aviation use highly unlikely.